Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Blood Donors at Madhya Pradesh, India: A Retrospective Study

Background: Viral hepatitis is a global health problem with 170 million Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) carriers worldwide, and 12-13 million HCV carriers in India. Unscreened blood and components play a significant role in transmission of HCV apart from reuse of injection needles, unsterilized surgical equipments and vertical transmission from mother to child. Unsafe blood transfusion not only poses risk to patients, causing significant morbidity and mortality, but also adds to the economical burden on healthcare system. Aims and Objectives: Aim of this study is to estimate the seroprevalence of HCV infection among the voluntary and relative donors over a period of 7 years at blood banks of Madhya Pradesh with collaboration of Madhya Pradesh State AIDS control Society (MPSACS) Bhopal, India from 2011 to 2017. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of blood donation at blood banks, of Madhya Pradesh, India. Blood units were screened for TTIs from January 2011 To December 2017. HIV, HCV and HBV tests were done by ELISA. Data of HCV was collected and compared statistically by frequency distribution and percentage proportion. Chi Square (? 2) test was used to determine the significant difference statistically. Results: The mean age of donors was 32.4 2 ± 8.63 years. Major contribution was from male donors (93.8%). Majority of donation was done voluntarily (87.3 %). Out of the total 1,876,219 donors tested for TTIs over 7 years, 1980 (0.11%) were positive to anti HCV (p=.000001). Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV infection was 0.11% among blood donors of Madhya Pradesh, with geographic variation among districts. Aiming to provide safe blood to the patients, prevention of transmission of HCV by proper donor counseling and screening of the unit is required.

Evaluation of Lipid Profile Among Prehypertensive and Normotensive Patients: A Teaching Hospital based Study

Background: This study was designed to compare the lipid profile among prehypertensive and normotensive and its correlation between blood pressure and lipid profile in prehypertensive patients. Methods: This case-control study on forty prehypertensives and forty normotensive subjects. Blood pressures were recorded and serum lipid profiles were measured and compared using student t test. Correlation between blood pressure and serum lipid profile was done. Results: The mean SBPs of prehypertensives group and normotensives group were 132.43±6.25 mmHg versus 110.02±2.60 mmHg, respectively, and mean DBPs were 88.42±4.05 mmHg versus 74.21±3.72 mmHg, respectively. The mean SBP and DBP of prehypertensives group were higher than those of normotensives group. the serum lipid profile of recently, diagnosed prehypertensive patients was significantly altered as compared to normotensive subjects. Conclusion: The serum lipid profile of recently, diagnosed prehypertensive patients was significantly altered as compared to normotensive subjects.

High-Sensitive C–Reactive Protein with Lipid Profile Parameters in Dyslipidemic Patients: A Teaching Hospital Based Study

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, the leading causes of death in the world are rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. Our aim was to fine out the correlation between High-Sensitive C–reactive Protein with Lipid Profile Parameter. Methods: The strong and statistically significant positive correlation in between High-Sensitive C–reactive Protein (hsCRP) and Total Cholesterol with (p<0.016). Results: Statistically significant positive correlation between High-Sensitive C–reactive Protein and Triglycerides (p<0.001). LDL-C also showed a statistically significant positive correlation with High-Sensitive C–reactive Protein (p<0.03). HDL-C also showed a statistically not significant negative correlation with High-Sensitive C–reactive Protein (p<0.32). Conclusion: The patients with dyslipidemia for elevated blood hsCRP levels may be done to identify those patients with an increased risk stratification of atherosclerosis. Also this suggests that there may be a role for anti -inflammatory agents along with statins in treatment of dyslipidemia.

Totally implantable venous access ports: Retrospective review of long-term complications in 81 patients.

Aim of The Study: A totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) has become an essential prerequisite for many chemotherapy protocols. It is serving its purpose very well, but its use is not without complications. We are presenting our experience with these devices (TIVAPs). Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the totally implantable venous access ports in 81 patients at our hospital between January 2009 and March 2011 for long-term problems which include postoperative and follow-up problems, excluding the immediate complications which occur at the time of insertion. Results: Catheter malfunction was the most common complication (9.87%, 0.40/1000 device-days of use/observation). Catheter-related bloodstream infections were present in 5 (6.17%) patients (0.25/1000 device-days of use/observation). The mean life of the catheter was 246 days. Only 11.1% ports required removal during the treatment period. Overall, patients either completed treatment (82.8%) or died (6.1%) while receiving treatment. Conclusion: TIVAPs provide safe and reliable vascular access for patients on chemotherapy but require utmost care by a dedicated team of trained medical professionals and paramedics experienced with the use of such ports, in order to minimize the complications and their continued use while administering treatment.

Radiation induced sarcoma following treatment of breast cancer.

The occurrence of radiation induced sarcoma following treatment of breast cancer is rare. It has an average latency of ten years and it correlates with the dose and technique of radiation. The prognosis is poor due to delay in diagnosis. We present a case where a female patient developed a chondrosarcoma of sternoclavicular joint 19 years after radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Premature infant feeding: role of diluted formula.

The role of half strength, double volume milk feeds for initiating feeding in preterm newborn infants was evaluated. Thirty eight premature infants were included in the study and divided into Groups A and B having 20 and 18 babies, respectively. Group A babies were fed half strength (10 cal/oz) formula feeds but the volume was doubled, while Group B babies were fed full strength formula feeds (20 cal/oz) with standard volume. A pre-set schedule was evolved for feed increments in the two groups. The amount of feeds was increased daily till a volume of 150 ml/kg/day was reached. The end point of the study was achieved when the caloric intake became 100 cal/kg/day. It was observed that Group A babies attained enteral energy intake of 100 cals/kg/day much earlier and experienced lesser complications, viz., persistent gastric aspirate and abdominal distension. They required intravenous supplementation for a shorter duration thus reducing the associated complications.

Clinico-bacteriological study of neonatal conjunctivitis.

Perinatal risk factors and bacteriological profile of conjunctivitis were studied among 245 newborns delivered at JIPMER Hospital between July 1986 and June 1988. Maternal and neonatal factors like lack of antenatal care, presence of adverse intrapartum factors, operative deliveries, birth asphyxia, pre-maturity and prolonged hospital stay significantly increased the chances of developing conjunctivitis (P less than 0.001). Bacteria were recovered from 163 (66.5%) cases. Staphylococcus was the commonest pathogenic bacteria isolated, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated in only one case. Most of the organisms showed in vitro sensitivity to chloramphenicol, gentamycin and tetracycline. All the cases responded to topical chloramphenicol except three which required systemic antibiotics. No complications were observed. The identification and appropriate management of high risk pregnancies with minimal hospital stay can reduce the incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis.

Role of cimetidine in prevention and treatment of stress induced gastric bleeding in neonates.

Gastric bleeding from stress ulcers in acutely sick infants frequently signals impending mortality. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of cimetidine in preventing and treating stress ulcers in such neonates. One hundred babies were included in this study. Out of this, 32 babies were given prophylactic cimetidine and 68 neonates acted as controls. It was observed that the babies on prophylactic cimetidine fared better than controls. In the second part of study, 77 neonates with clinical evidence of hemorrhage were included, 43 were put on cimetidine and 34 acted as controls. It was observed that babies on cimetidine therapy showed a better response. The gastric bleeding stopped earlier, and more babies responded favourably to this therapy. Use of cimetidine in stress induced bleeding in high risk neonates is recommended.

Typhoid fever below five years.

During a seven year period (1981-87), 53 cases of typhoid fever in children below five years were seen. This accounted for 13.5% of all typhoid admission in pediatrics during the above period. Predominant symptoms were fever (100%), vomiting (52.8%), diarrhea (30.2%) and anorexia (24.5%). Chills and rigor associated with fever was noticed in 38% of the children. Salmonella typhi was isolated from blood in 22 of 53 (41.7%) cases. A significant finding on peripheral smear was eosinopenia (86.8%). Complications like endotoxic shock, enteric encephalopathy and gastrointestinal hemorrhage were noticed in only few cases (7.6%). There were no deaths.